U.S. Airways

Local News

3:46 pm

Wed October 23, 2013

Charlotte’s largest airline has reported lower net income for the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. U.S. Airways says it made $216 million in the quarter. That’s down from $245 million last year. But the airline says it made a record pre-tax profit of nearly $370 million this quarter. Speaking during a conference call with analysts Wednesday, U.S. Airways president Scott Kirby was asked if the strong earnings undercuts the pending merger with American Airlines, which last week also reported record profits.

The early indication is that Charlotte’s airport is safe in the just-announced merger of US Airways and American Airlines. The new American Airlines will be the world's largest, with a value of 11 billion dollars and an extensive network of destinations.

When merging, airlines combine operations, which means reducing duplicative routes and changing presences in airports. US Airways operates about 90 percent of flights in and out of Charlotte-Douglas every day—it is the airline’s largest hub.

Fifteen feet doesn’t sound like a lot, unless you’re pulling a 50-ton airplane. And that’s exactly what teams lined up to do at the U.S. airways hangar in Charlotte this morning. They weren’t there just to show off which team had the largest biceps. The goal was to raise money for United Way of Central Carolinas.

There were 26 teams of 20 employees, but Freight Flyers was the most anticipated team. After all, they’re the defending champs.